How to set up a yoga routine while traveling?

by Guest from Yogis on Roadtrip25 February 2019

"How to set up a yoga routine while traveling", article written by Alix, exclusively for Yogis on Roadtrip.

Alix is ​​a yoga teacher based in London. Find her on her site.If you have a well-established Yoga routine, with your class schedules set right, in your studio with your favorite teachers, going on a trip can be a source of frustration for your practice. Especially if you do not want to lose the stamina, flexibility and strength that you have developed through your hard work!No worries ! With willpower and discipline, you will succeed in maintaining serenity and flexibility during your travels. It's easy, you do not need anything other than your body for your yoga practice, even the carpet is optional!You will enjoy all the more of your holidays when you will have peace of mind thanks to a Yoga practice, even reduced.

The desire to respect a routine

The first element for this routine to work is above all the will to respect it!The will is a key element of Yoga in any form. Avoid falling into a routine "it's the holidays, I do not do anything".If you spend 10 minutes a day on your carpet (or on the floor), you will regain control over these thoughts and that's what Yoga does.Indeed, no matter the length of the session. It's just important to make it daily. One day your session may last 90 min, the next day 30 min, the third day 60 min and the next day 10 min. It does not matter. What matters is to move, to breathe consciously, to meditate for 10 minutes.

The magic trick

Tip: during your very first yoga session while traveling, try to make it last a long time! This is a general first session that will set the pace of the rest of your trip. If one day you do only 10 min of yoga, the next day try to make the session last longer. Otherwise, your sessions will be shorter and shorter ... believe my experience.Depending on your personality, you will always enjoy practicing at the same time. Here again, do not be too strict with yourself. When traveling, you will often live day by day. Nevertheless, if you spend your time on a beach to rest (with no activity other than swimming in the sea), then try to practice at regular times!When I was in India by the sea, that's what I did. When I woke up I was meditating and around noon I was doing 90 minutes of asanas (yoga positions). On the other hand, when I was in Mumbai, a big city in India, and spent my day visiting, I did my practice before dinner for at least 15 minutes.

Find the place that suits you

As for the place, it does not take much space: a corner in your hotel room will suffice. If you are in a relationship, with friends or even with children, ideally ask them to leave this time for you ... Sometimes the session will be on the beach, without carpet. I have made a lot of progress with my pear trees this way!And of course, you are traveling! So if you do not practice yoga for a day, it's not the end of the world either.And do not forget, holidays or not, it is always important to listen to your body and to rest if necessary. The very first principle of Yoga is non-violence and love towards others but also towards oneself.Have a nice trip !